Obama: Children are off limits

chuck kinsey, carlsbad, ca — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:13 GMT

When Obama looks back on November 5 and wonders why he lost the election it will be today, Labor Day. War Hero President McCain and his VP were all over the news from a hurricane command center in Mississipi, talking to the hundreds of millions of voters home for Labor Day watching the storm on CNN and Fox and other networks all day. The campaign manager will not take e mails, they needed James Carville as a consultant but like Kerry, they will wait until all is lost and hire him two weeks before the election. Carville would have had Obama on a plane to one of the storm centers in a heartbeat when McCain announced that Bush and Cheney were off the Convention and that he, McCain was headed for the storm zone.

Democrats are totally brain dead. They deserve to lose, but unfortunately all of America will lose.

Obama: Children are off limits

Ellie, Aurora, CO — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:47:55 GMT

Thank you for taking the high road, Obama! Gov. Palin will self-destruct on her own...

Obama: Children are off limits

McCain-Palin'08 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:48:35 GMT

Obama deserves credit and praise for this statement. Maybe his fanatical supporters on here can tell us the substantitive and legislative achievements that Obama and Biden have accomplished. Liberal internet message board posters discussing issues and substance is a miracle and miracles can happen sometimes.

Obama: Children are off limits

Listen to Obama! — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:51:12 GMT

To all the Palin haters, you've now heard the marching orders from your leader....back off. If you don't agree, get angry with him. Since many of you believe and adore every word he says when it suits your fancy, do the same where he speaks here. Thanks in advance!

Obama: Children are off limits

Craig, California — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:51:44 GMT

Good for Obama! High road! What a solid ticket Obama & Biden are. There were many good tickets for the Dems but this one is very balanced.

Interesting how the Repubs are so interested in the hurricane this time around. Did they learn their lesson or is it an election year??? Where was John McCain during Katrina?

Obama: Children are off limits

Valerie, Houston, TX — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:52:49 GMT

JUST THOUGHT I WOULD DROP SOME INFORMATION ABOUT OBAMA'S "LACK OF EXPERIENCE". LINDSAY GRAHAM WANTED TO KNOW WHAT HE DID WELL HERE IS JUST LITTLE BIT.

Barack Obama Organizations:

Center for Neighborhood and Technology
Chicago Annenberg Challenge
Cook County Bar
Cook County Bar Association Community Law Project
President, Harvard Law Review
Board Member, Joyce Foundation
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law
Leadership for Quality Education
Board Member, Woods Fund of Chicago

Barack Obama is on the following Committees in congress:

Foreign Relations, Member
Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, Member
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Member
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Member
Subcommittee on African Affairs, Member
Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Member
Subcommittee on European Affairs, Chair
Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security , Member
Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs and International Environmental Protection, Member
Subcommittee on State, Local, and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration, Member
Veterans' Affairs, Member

Obama: Children are off limits

Frannie — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:53:34 GMT

Classic GOP sleazy gutter attack dog strategy.
To accuse Sen. Obamas supporters and campaign of attacking this "real motha of a candidate". If Sen. Obama used "affirmative action" to pick his VP candidate, with a 16 year old PREGNANT daughter, the MSM including MSNBC Gregory, FOX, Hannity, O'Reilly, Limbaugh and the rest of the racist core GOP mouthpieces would be CRYING bloody murder 24/7 on all their MSM cable and network soapboxes.

Obama: Children are off limits

iowan — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:54:57 GMT

Fair and first rate as always.

The news media, not the Obama campaign, really should provide the answers. I am not sure if I would be more troubled by a 'cover up pregnancy' by Mrs. Palin for her daughter, or the fact that she chose to sexually reproduce a fifth child at age 44 (while a sitting governor). Combined with her apparent 'absinence as sex ed' role, this is deeply troubling.

Obama: Children are off limits

A Morgan, Burnsville MN — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:54:58 GMT

Hear, hear. Families are off limits. By the way, Obama's mother was married to his father before she got pregnant. Huge difference.

Obama: Children are off limits

another mama for obama — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:55:31 GMT

Well said, Senator Obama. Thank you for being a decent human being. I'm appalled at the McCain campaign for playing the "liberal blog card" the same way they played the "race card". They're using this to their own sordid advantage and it's disgusting.

Sarah Palin is just a pawn and she's turning into a pathetic role model for women in politics. If she were a strong leader, she wouldn't be where she is now. She'd be learning and growing and getting ready to run when she knows a thing or two rather than trading on her big shot too early and letting John McCain ogle her butt on national tv.

Obama: Children are off limits

Bob from Va — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:55:41 GMT

Obama asks that his children be off limits. I agree, but he seems to want it both ways. He is the one that brings them onstage on a regular basis and encourages them to make complimentary statements about him. He even had them interviewed by a national reporter a couple weeks ago. His bloggers are also all over this webpage making indescent statements about Palins's child.

Obama: Children are off limits

... NEXT ... — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:56:08 GMT

The difference here is that palin lied and said that was "HER" baby, when it was her daughter's first child.

No one would have cared whos baby it was if she

DID NOT LIE ABOUT IT !!!

That is the difference...
She is introducing herself on the national scene with a LIE and pandering to the Hillary supporters ONLY because she is female.

She believes in NOTHING that Hillary fought for.

So the beauty queen brought her children into the political mix because of her LIE... Not OURS.

We ALL make mistakes, but:

#1. you learn from your first mistake with the guidence of your parents, and don't repeat them over and over.

#2. learning from others - a lie always finds the light of day

Our country has had it's share of lying polititians.

She is not VP material... PERIOD!

E-N-O-U-G-H

Obama: Children are off limits

Carter, Jacksonville, FL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:56:31 GMT

If it's true, it's true. Don't try to put this off on the Obama campaign. What did they think would happen when they chose a virtual unknown to be the VP candidate? Result - everyone news organization is trying find everything they possibly can about her. It was bound to be dug up. Obama was right to come out strongly against this. Families are off limits!! It reminds me of the when McCain made that joke about Chelsea. I wonder if he will also say, families are off limits.

Obama: Children are off limits

Sue Dubya — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:56:49 GMT

Barack is right- kids should absolutely not be a topic of political debate. However, what IS a legitimate topic of debate now is the need for comprehensive sex education for all our children in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies and potentially life-threatening STDs. Both Palin and McCain would rather see children die than educate them properly.

In addition, another legitimate political topic is the "family values" that are reprensented when a couple gives birth to a Down Syndrome child, and then neither parent (even though they can afford to do so) is willing to stay home to care for and manage the special needs of that child. The Palins selfishness in pawning off the care of their newborn to others is unforgiveable!

Obama: Children are off limits

Monika, New Haven, CT — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:56:50 GMT

This reveals Obama's true character. He is a truly noble man with a great deal of integrity. The McCain camp showed their true colors by trying to somehow tie the Obama camp to the scandal. Shame on McCain and the Far Right media.

Obama: Children are off limits

Nick, Edwardsville, IL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:56:51 GMT

Now there's class. A true leader.

Obama: Children are off limits

Roxie — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:57:07 GMT

Call me cynical...but, this timeline seems a little too convenient for me. This news was obviously used to diffuse the rumor that Trig is really Bristol's baby...way too much drama and I seriously doubt that McCain knew...

I guess Bristol failed her abstinence only education class...maybe if her Mom would give her and the rest of the family, especially the infant special needs child more attention, this would not have happened.

Family values my azz!

Obama: Children are off limits

Mil — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:57:16 GMT

Go Obama! I always knew he was a gentleman. I've liked him for that since the beginning. Heck, since he was elected in Illinois.

I'm proud to have him as my senator and my next President.

Obama: Children are off limits

Angellight — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:57:28 GMT

What Joe Scarborough really thinks about Palin Nomination!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTbsbeY5k5k

Let's see how they spin it this week.

Obama: Children are off limits

Jackie, AL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:58:08 GMT

This is not about children. Its about the hypocrisy of McCain and Palin's "abstinence only" preaching. Its about the RIGHT WING touting Palin as such an excellent MOTHER when she dumps her Down's Syndrome newborn and her pregnant teenage daughter to hit the campaign trail (saying that its okay because her older kids are good babysitters). Its about the breathtaking lack of judgment McCain shows when he chooses a VP who he met only once and who was OBVIOUSLY never vetted. This is not about poor Bristol and her situation. This is about what this says about MCCAIN AND PALIN. NOT READY ON DAY ONE.

Obama: Children are off limits

M. Daniels, Kannapolis, NC — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:58:10 GMT

thank you Senator Obama always taking the high road, such class! Still as a U.S. Citizen, the possiblity of having Palin as President horrifies me. this selection is so close to treason for what McCain is trying to do to America. No disrespect to Obama but McCain is too old to be this wreckless. We should all let our voices be heard on this absurd selection.

Obama: Children are off limits

margaret,baltimore,md. — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:58:18 GMT

I agree with Obama, the family should be off limits. But, as I tried to respond the original report of the pregnancy, this speaks to the potential veep pick and her judgement. She has a special needs infant and now a daughter who is going to need her to be there even more than before, and where will she be? There is no one more important then my family, not even my country!

Obama: Children are off limits

Mike, StL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:59:07 GMT

This is change we can believe in. Good for you Obama, and hopefully we can just focus on the fact that Palin has poor judgement and is unqualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. We don't need to smear her family to show that she is just a result of McCain pandering to voters.

Obama: Children are off limits

Donna, Lincroft, NJ — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:59:51 GMT

Hey Obama supporters: the big O doesn't approve of your messages. Finally, the guy says something unambiguous, that I can actually agree with. Now, if any of you who were posting this garbage ARE affiliated with the campaign, the word is that you are fired. I guess that's the end of Captain Smash. So long. It's been real.

Obama: Children are off limits

Libratine — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:59:56 GMT

Good for Obama.

You see, their problem is not the left - we are very liberal about these things - we merely scoff at the hypocrisy of it all 9including Edwards!). However, Palin/McCain problems will come from their own party who are still intent on legislating MORALS and THEIR religious codes upon others.

Obama: Children are off limits

Eric, Salinas, CA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:01:26 GMT

Nothing is off limits after the swiftboating of John Kerry. It's payback time!

This is about responsible family planning, birth control and a woman's right to choose. "Abstinence Only" Palin has proven that she can't even teach her daughter her own clueless family values gibberish.

The Dumb and Dumber ticket is the worst possible choice for our country and people this election cycle and we're going to rub the noses of the repugnant ones in their own hubris every day.

Only Obama/Biden will bring intelligence and real science back to the White House!

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

Obama: Children are off limits

krysty — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:02:50 GMT

As a strong Obama supporter, he needs to say something worthy or completely stay out of it. I am getting tired of Obama trying too much to look toooooo good. McCain did not say anything when the NEOS ran the AYERS AD, McCain thought that the Obama smear book was funny and McCain has made Obama look unpatriotic. So Obama, if you don't know how to respond to things like this, be quiet.

Obama: Children are off limits

BJ, CA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:02:59 GMT

But the parents are reponsible for those children....
and the "do as I say" not "do as I do" must be an example to the family members...or there are deep drill down questions that still remain..and those doubts feed like blood to the sharks in this political challenge...
Truth and repentance is the correct answer the republicans knows or doubts linger as to that person's ability to lead...
Remember the children are mirror images of the parents..and those role models most accountable..
Isn't that a bases one some of your policies Dr. Obama? Isn't that part of the change massage or have I been hearing you wrong?..we are expiable linked?
We don't find fault with the child we ask the parent if they need help and change..

Obama: Children are off limits

Tina, Orlando, FL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:03:39 GMT

Hurray for Obama who once again has taken the higher road. He is correct to say that families are off limits and that this is a private family matter. Although Gov. Palin has put herself in the spotlight and states that she believes in abstinence and is anti-choice, she is running not her daughter. Vote for your beliefs and do not allow yourself to be dragged down to the gutters of smear tactics. Either you believe in Obama's message and side with him on what needs to be done or you side with McCain.
I am pro Obama, but I am not anti american.

Obama: Children are off limits

MominPA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:04:14 GMT

what a complete joke these people are...kudos to abstinence-only sex ed!!!

Obama: Children are off limits

Nj — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:04:23 GMT

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/01/palin_was_a_director_of_embatt.html

More PALIN garbage

Politicizing a hurricane is NOT GOOD POLITICS.

Obama: Children are off limits

VW, Montgomery, AL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:04:55 GMT

Way to go Obama! I am an Obama supporter and also believe that kids are off limits in elections. This shows exactly how upstanding he is.
John McCain is an opportunist! He should have never put out that statement about the liberal bloggers being a part of the Obama campaign. Obama doesn't control what the bloggers say. Conservative bloggers claim that Obama is a Muslim and not an American citizen and say all sorts of nasty things about him, but he doesn't claim that it's John McCain's camp putting out these messages.
However, I do feel that since Palin's daughter is pregnant she has a lot going on at home and she may need to take a second look at trying to take on such a challenging job. I personally think that she is not ready to be one heartbeat away from being leader of the free world.
Liberal bloggers, please lay off the daughter. What if it was your child. Remember that God doesn't like ugly. We need to stay focused on the issues facing this country, not what is going on in the candidates children's personal lives.

Obama: Children are off limits

Sylvia, Chattanooga, TN — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:05:54 GMT

I hope that Keith Olberman will have the decency on his idiotic program to heed Obama's words and lay off the comments about Sarah Palin's daughter's pregnancy. Keith is so vicious that he hurts the Obama campaign more than he helps.

Obama: Children are off limits

lawrence, denver, CO — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:07:28 GMT

Had McCain known about this, he would not have chosen Palin. Therefore, McCain is lying when he says he knew about it. Which means Palin hid it from McCain. Somehow, I don't think I will trust these two when they inevitably steal this election.

Obama: Children are off limits

BJ, CA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:07:53 GMT

But the parents are reponsible for those children....
and the "do as I say" or "do as I do" must be an example to the family members...or there are deep drill down questions that still remain..and those doubts feed like blood to the sharks in this political challenge...
Truth and repentance is the correct answer the republicans are asking. Questions or doubts linger as to that person's ability to lead...
Remember the children are mirror images of the parents..and those role models most be accountable..
Isn't that a bases one some of your policies Dr. Obama? Isn't that part of the change massage or have I been hearing you wrong?..we are expiable linked?
We don't find fault with the child we ask the parent if they need help and change..

Obama: Children are off limits

Bristol had a choice — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:07:55 GMT

Obama is a class act, as always.

As for Palin, with all the talk about how proud everyone is that her daughter "made the decision on her own" to keep the baby, I hope she will reflect on the fact that she wants to take that decision away from everyone else in the U.S. It's wonderful that your daughter had a choice, Gov. Palin. The rest of us should be allowed to make our decisions for ourselves, too.

Obama: Children are off limits

Brooklyn, NY — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:08:07 GMT

My father is a WWII hero. Got shot in the leg and still has the bullet. A true leader for his men in France! Should he run for President as well?

McCain has nothing..not a clue...just the usual Republican tricks. It is embarrassing!!

Obama: Children are off limits

jforjools — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:08:08 GMT

Yes, children ARE offlimits.

But VETTING-GATE should still be very much on the table.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MSNBC, do your job. There's a much bigger picture here. This 'story' is a red herring.

DON'T be afraid to do your job.

America needs you and thanks you.

Obama: Children are off limits

A Working Christian Mother — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:08:13 GMT

I will not back off. All you righties think this is so good and wonderful - it is not. And, it is an issue of judgement.

We've heard Obama slammed on all sorts of innuendo and calling him an elitist, a celebrity and someone with a huge ego.

Then, now we see a power hungry woman, whose thirst for power and attention is so great, she is willing to sacrifice her children. Not only Bristol, who in this climate of Juno and Jamie Lynn Spears, Palin KNEW would be subjected to intense scrutiny and attention. She obviously did not care in the least what her 16-17 year old child was going to be subjected to. Selfish. Then, this Down Syndrome child, who is going to raise him? It is one thing to be a working mother, working a normal 8-5 job. But, this isn't a normal job. Again, very selfish.

Power hungry, selfish woman with exceedingly bad judgment. Shame on her!

Obama: Children are off limits

Ken Kordana, Westfield, MA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:08:15 GMT

The debate that has occurred over the last few days as a result of the selection by Senator McCain of Sarah Palin to be his running mate on the Republican ticket for President of the United States is missing the point. On the Sunday morning political shows, one show had Senator Graham of South Carolina actually spending time comparing Sarah Palin’s “vast” experience to the lack of experience of Senator Obama. This is a diversionary tactic that should not be allowed to continue by the Republican pundits who don’t know how to defend this choice.

Why the Democrats and press covering the election and participating in the speculation and punditry that many of us follow don’t bring logic and thought into the discussion is beyond me. Here is what people should be discussing:

Whether you agree with the experience level of Senator Obama or not, one thing is factually clear. Senator Obama received over 19 million votes by Americans in his quest to gain the nomination. Those 19 million votes count for something. The way our political system works (or is supposed to work – remember the 2000 election), the one with the most votes is elected to serve. 19 million democrats dismissed arguments against Senator Obama to decide that he should be the nominee of the Democratic Party. That is more votes than any other candidate running for the office garnered. Senator Clinton was a very close second, but in the end, Senator Obama had prevailed. Experience level or not, those 19 million Americans spoke during the process, and put Senator Obama at the head of the Democratic ticket.

On the Republican side, Senator McCain was the leading vote getter, and, as a result, he was chosen by his fellow Republicans to be their candidate for President in the upcoming election. He didn’t get 19 million votes, but he did get more than any other republican vying for the spot.

So, to establish to basis for the rationale I am putting forth, nobody can disagree that the facts provided so far are correct, and that Senator’s Obama and McCain were chosen to be their respective party’s candidates for President. What each of them then chose to do in selecting a running mate then becomes a personal decision. Those 19 million Americans who voted for Senator Obama in the primaries did NOT vote on who he would choose to run with him. In fact, they transferred that responsibility to their candidate, and trusted in his decision. Likewise, Senator McCain did not receive guidance from all of the millions who supported him in the primaries, but rather went about choosing a running mate that would be, in his best judgment, the best choice to run with him and be a partner should they be elected. Senator Obama chose Senator Biden. Senator McCain went with Governor Palin. The only thing we can honestly do with these picks is evaluate them on the basis of measuring the judgment shown by each candidate in making this decision.

Senator Graham wants to question Senator Obama’s experience, and talk to the fact that Governor Palin is so much more experienced than him. This is a smokescreen. Listen here Senator Graham, the American people who voted in the democratic primaries CHOSE Senator Obama, after a very long vetting process called the primary season. We had NO choice in picking Governor Palin to be one of the 4 people on the center stage. Had she gone thru the primary season, and we knew more about her, we, the American people could have made a determination on her qualifications. However, since that is not the process, we evaluate the selection by Senator McCain, and attempt to translate that into an evaluation on how Senator McCain would lead, and what type of Cabinet he might choose. We don’t necessarily vote for President based on the vice president, rather we use the selection of a vice presidential candidate by the presidential candidate to determine whether this man (or woman) makes sound judgments and is worthy of our vote and support.

The smokescreen being put up that Senator Obama has no experience compared to Governor Palin entirely misses the point. Senator Obama made a decision for a running mate. So did Senator McCain. Let’s evaluate those choices and determine who will be the best person to lead this country. Bottom line in this test – Obama 1, McCain 0.

I also was struck by some arguments made by politicians and pundits suggesting that it really isn’t important that the vice presidential selection be ready to lead the country. How naive is this logic? Well, how many Republicans (true, hard core conservative Republicans) would “honestly” say that Vice President Cheney is not involved in day to day decisions (critical decisions) within this administration? Anyone arguing he isn’t a strong partner in this relationship is living in a fantasy world. So how can you justify this pick for Vice President? Does anyone honestly feel that Governor Palin’s entire life and work experience put her in line to be a strong, decision making, partner to Senator McCain? How should we deal with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, China, Iraq, Israel, Russia, the Subprime mess, the recession, the level of poverty, the lack of health insurance (by the way it is 18.9% of the population in Alaska)? All of these are real questions that I for one will be interested in seeing how Governor Palin responds. Of course I will also be interested in seeing how Senator Biden responds. However, knowing of the Senator for many years I am confident in his ability to field these questions, and understand the issues not based on position papers that are prepared for him, but on dealing with these very issues year after year after year.

I know who I trust in providing guidance to the top member of their ticket. As for the top members of the ticket themselves, experience is important. I will not dispute that. But it is not entirely clear to me at this point that Senator McCain has the type of experience that I am interested in supporting. After all, anyone who would move so far from his fundamental style 8 years ago, and voting with President Bush over 90% of the time does NOT, in my estimation, have the experience I am personally interested in. I’ll stick with Senator Obama – someone who is showing an incredible acumen for the issues of the American people and throughout the world, and someone who’s ideas and positions on both domestic and foreign affairs are consistent with my beliefs and hopes for this country. On top of all of that – in the first “major” decision that we were able to watch each candidate make, that being the choice of a running mate, Senator Obama put country first and picked someone who is ready to run this country (if necessary), and Senator McCain picked someone who appears to be chosen for the sole purpose of playing a political game with the neo-conservative faction of the republican party and those perceived disenfranchised voters within the democratic party. I’ll look forward to some honest debate about the experience issue, but Senator Graham from now on, please stick to comparing Obama to McCain, and Palin to Biden. That’s what I’m going to be doing, and without question I’ll be supporting Obama – as his “experience” is better than McCain’s. Oh, by the way, I am a former republican. The “former” came about when I saw the current administration in action, looking out for their inner circle at the expense of the American people.

Obama: Children are off limits

Janet in Los Angeles — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:08:20 GMT

I agree with Obama that Bristol's situation is not a relevant topic. What is relevant is a women's right to choose. That this young women had a right to choose and all women should have a right to choose. Government should not determine that right for women.

Obama: Children are off limits

margaret,baltimore,md. — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:09:15 GMT

"Obama asks that his children be off limits. I agree, but he seems to want is both ways. He is the one that brings them onstage on a regular basis...."

Bob from Va(sent Monday, September 01, 2008 2:55 PM)
******************************************************

Excuse you, but, didn't I see the new republican's veep choice's family come out on stage? She's only been the pick for a minute but I've seen her family on stage with her already!!

Obama: Children are off limits

BJ, CA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:09:38 GMT

But the parents are responsible for those children....
and the "do as I do" not "do as I say" must be an example to the family members...or there are deep drill down questions that still remain..and those doubts feed like blood to the sharks in this political challenge...
Truth and repentance is the correct answer the republicans want to know or doubts linger as to that person's ability to lead...
Remember the children are mirror images of the parents..and those role models most accountable..
Isn't that a bases one some of your policies Dr. Obama? Isn't that part of the change massage or have I been hearing you wrong?..we are expiable linked?
We don't find fault with the child we ask the parent if they need help and change..

Obama: Children are off limits

Mother of 3 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:09:44 GMT

Sorry Obama, this is our future at stake here. When a gun-totting, family-value pushing woman accepts a position as VP for John McCain, and starts lying on DAY 1 of her campaign, then it is MY right as a US citizen to look at everything she brings to the table.
I, for one, do not think the story of a 17 yr old being pregnant. However, when Palin goes around tying to force her brand of family values and stands on a ticket that puts down my morals and values while uplifting theirs, and then we come across this - yes, it becomes part of the political game.
AND if this was Bristol's 1st child, it would be an almost non-issue. The fact is, this is her 2nd pregnancy in as many years. What kind of values is Palin passing down to her children, and what kind of values does she want to shove down my throat???
Please. BRING IT ON.

Obama: Children are off limits

nadeem — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:09:56 GMT

The question here is not about the Children, but about McCains lack of judgement and vetting.

Nobody would choose a VP with this type of baggage and it shows that she was not properly vetted.

Pook judgement McCain for not putting country first.

Obama: Children are off limits

katiec Pekin, IL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:10:49 GMT

Too bad Mccain and the pubs do not learn anything
about integrity.
All they can do is sensationalize, distort, lie
and pander, making up anything they can to get a
headline.
Families should not be brought into politicing,
make note news media, but the vp candidate herself
is fair game on her record.
Mccain made an irresponsible, dangerous decision
and has shown how little he cares about the future
of our country. Can you imagine this "hocky mom"
making critical decisions?
ENOUGH!!

Obama: Children are off limits

Rodham Democrat — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:12:11 GMT

Mrs. Palin, how do you plan to raise an infant with special needs and help your teenage daughter raise her child while helping Sen. McCain run the country?

You can't even run a state and keep your daughter under control... what will you do as VP?

Obama: Children are off limits

conservative — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:12:25 GMT

i don't care what obama says. I would have supported mccain if he chose huckabee. I am sitting this one out. We don't need this kind of an example highlighted in the national spotlight. Unmarried teenage girls should be taught not to engage in this kind of activity. The parents don't embody my conservative values. She is a bad mother for making her daughter go through this in public. Does she have no shame?

Obama: Children are off limits

Michelle MD — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:12:49 GMT

I am glad that Senator Obama has made this statement. That is not the type of campaign he has been running. And, as I said in another post I do not believe these rumors/stories should automatically be tied to either campaign. I really can not see either campaign doing that. The fact that Bristol is pregnant may take a little bit of sail out of being high on the family morals stand but we all know that teenagers are going to make decisions that are not in their best interest. we deal with those and move on.

Obama: Children are off limits

Kelly, Austin TX — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:12:50 GMT

HYPOCRITES!!!!!

Obama: Children are off limits

Syliva Pride, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:13:01 GMT

Again Obama takes the high road, proving that he won't play the mud slinging game that the Republicans do. There are so many personal issues that he could attack McCain and Palin on(McCains temper, McCains verbal abuse of his wife, Cindy's drug use, Palin's pregnant unwed daughter) but he hasn't and I respect him for that.

Obama: Children are off limits

Dave L — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:13:13 GMT

Please-all the talk of the McCain camp having the moral highroad. I don't believe Obama has cheated on his wife-can McCain say the same thging...oops he did it at least twice. Welcome back to earth McCain...

Obama: Children are off limits

Danielle, Ft, Wash., MD — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:13:35 GMT

Obama is truly a decent human being. Always taking the high road. We can all learn from that.

Obama: Children are off limits

Walt McIntosh — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:13:36 GMT

John McCain did not make Admiral because he was probably a FAILURE as commander of the largest Navy Air Wing. If You perform well you make Admiral if you fail Performance Inspections you retire or take a lessor command McCain I suspect McCain Failed.

Obama: Children are off limits

katiec Pekin, IL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:14:27 GMT

P.S.
This once again shows the honorable person Barack
Obama is.

Obama: Children are off limits

joan — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:14:47 GMT

Oama responded the exact way that I expected him to do. Sarah Palin and John McCain need to figure out why they put themselves 1st instead of Bristol. They should not have put Bristol in the public spotlight like that with wher stomach sticking out and obviously pregnant. Now they are asking the public to do something that they themselve failed to do. John McCain is not new to politics and he knew better but he used Sarah Palin as well as the rest of her party. Republicans hold themselves up as the only righteous people in the world and are the worst political attackers; Hell Carl Rove right now is running around begging for money for attack campaigns. Too late to be self-righteous now. This woman doesn't even hold the same views as McCain on his same issues. I am a single parent and my daughter is a single parent. Big Deal. The issue is that this family's life.... past and present does not match the "so-called" views and lifestyle of the republican proclamation. But ofcourse.... it's ok for us republicans but not ok for the rest of the world. McCain is willing to sell this country out by putting this woman in office knowing she does not have the ability to lead this country. He didn't even bother to vet her. Maybe he shold just get out the phone book and start calling people at random asking them if they want to be his vice-president. This is just sick and awful.

I'm Republican and Telling it like it is.

Obama: Children are off limits

J Gordon, Princeton, NJ — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:14:50 GMT

Yes, the children of those politicans running should be off limits.

BUT the candidates are certainly not off limits. McCain's choice of Palin was reckless, impulsive, and petulant (he couldn't get his choice of Lieberman!).

In a single day there is all this new information about Palin (flip-flop on Bridge to Nowhere; unmarried daughter's pregnancy; husband's past DUI; using Governor's office to get employee fired; Alaska gas-pipe contract questions; total lack of foreign policy experience, unqualified to take over the Presidency of the United States of America if need be!).

It IS McCain's leadership and his judgment that are the point of all this Palin news!

How can McCain's campaign say, "Country First" when he himself is demonstrating that what matters most to him is, "Winning First"!

Obama: Children are off limits

Angie in Ky — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:15:22 GMT

This is why I like this guy. I expected no less.

Obama: Children are off limits

sotiredofignorance — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:15:22 GMT

Really people, you have to stop with the stories about Palin's incompetence as a mother. It will just sound like piling on. I like to think that those of us who support Senator Obama are better than this. Leave the gutter politics to the Karl Roves of the world. This election is just too important.

But, Donna, you would be first to attack if the situation were reversed and it was the Democratic ticket in this mess. You are the ultimate hypocrite.

Obama: Children are off limits

Dave, Apples, Phila, PA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:15:37 GMT

Maybe the parents should spend some more time raising their kids, and less on their careers. The religious groups preach, but they do not do the walk. This is a reflection of bad parenting.

Obama: Children are off limits

michaelinphilly — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:15:47 GMT

Sorry Obama. This is a story. Is it really possible this Down's baby is really not Sarah's??? But her 17 year old daughter' second???? I know it sounds crazy but I am beginning to wonder?????check out the andrew sullivan website about it....

Obama: Children are off limits

Bridget, Lake Geneva, WI — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:16:00 GMT

Perhaps Ms. Palin should get her own family in order before she attempts to help get this country back in order.
As an older woman who was raised to believe in family values first, she doesn't sit well.
McCain just lost my vote.

Obama: Children are off limits

Kay, NYC — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:16:00 GMT

Way to drag your own daughter out in front of a bus, Palin.

Great judgment. Great parenting. Great way to put your own ambition in front of your family.

And now, you want to lead 300 million of us?

A true champion for the conservative movement. What a mess.

Obama: Children are off limits

KO, So CA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:16:40 GMT

When one who touts abstinence as a method of birth control has first hand experience with it's failure, then it's time to sit back and reexamine the stance. And the fact that this teenager is marrying the father troubles me. It's the 21st century, no one 'Has to' get married anymore. Unless that was her parents' idea of a punishment for her actions...

Obama: Children are off limits

VW, Montgomery, AL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:17:36 GMT

Chuck from CA,
Bush, Cheney, McCain, none of them are getting anything but criticism from being in the hurricane zone. We are not stupid enough to believe that they care. We see right through it. I'm from the south and have been here all of my life. Katrina sealed the deal for us here.
Let me tell you something. It looks good on tv, but take it from me (My finace is a first responder is Shreveport, LA). They shipped the people out of the hurricane zone, but they didn't coordinate very well with the places where they dropped them off. The fire departments, police departments etc. that are receiving in the evacuees are having a hard time. Elderly people are showing up dead on busses.
Don't believe the media hype. It's better this time, but still a long way to go.
People please don't forget Katrina. The Republicans are only in the hurricane zone to serve their own agenda. Photo opts and to fool those of you that don't live here.
Democrats are not brain dead. They are smart enough not to fall for the Republicans trying to pass themselves off as caring for everyday people.
We are not fooled.

Obama: Children are off limits

God Fearing, Berkeley, CA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:18:14 GMT

If God wanted teenagers to not have babies, he wouldn't have made them horny, lacking judgment, and fertile. So what if abstinence-only doesn't work; stop fighting the culture of life. Mary had Jesus when she was only 14. What more important thing are young girls supposed to be doing than having babies? Congratulations to Gov. Palin for raising her children with proper Christian values.

Obama: Children are off limits

Lisa- St Petersburg Fl — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:18:54 GMT

Please, everyone take a moment to remember what the always sleazy John McCain had to say about Chelsea Clinton when she was a child. I can't bring myself to repeat it- research it yourself. Sexist, misogynistic and homophobic all at once- the
values' trifecta. All those Republicans bristling that someone MIGHT say something uncharitable about this situation should look inside their candidate. ANd a mirror.

Obama: Children are off limits

John Rep — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:19:02 GMT

Great response Senator Obama, goes to show the 'mettle' of the man. Consistent with his earlier stance to keep families and especially children out of the campaign fight. A man America and the world can depend on, no compromise for cheap political gains.

JonneyRep

Obama: Children are off limits

Ike, los angeles,ca — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:19:39 GMT

This family is always a heartbeat away from pregnancy. First it was the mom and now it is the teenage daughter. Expect a lot of diapers in the oval office.

Obama: Children are off limits

Notfooled, VA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:20:50 GMT

This is the REPUBS at there best with the Bait and Switch. Don't forget Harriet Miers - The Supreme Court pick and how that turned out. They brought in someone totally unqualified, then presented someone else and said see he's got to be better than her. Let's see who McSwitch Pulls out of his hat once Gov. Palin Steps aside.

VOTE SMART -

Obama: Children are off limits

Notfooled, VA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:21:21 GMT

Obama: Children are off limits

zorba — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:22:07 GMT

Good for Obama. I was gonna vote for McCain, but this statement changed my mind. It's time we got a little class and dignity back into the Oval Office.

Obama: Children are off limits

Carl — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:22:42 GMT

If the shoe wash on the other foot the Republicans would be all over us. Obama is a good man!

Obama: Children are off limits

Cole, Houston, Texas — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:24:44 GMT

Palin and McCain are both scarry! What is he thinking about? Who is she? The differecne between Obama and Palin is that he was nominated by over 18 million votes. That means that over 18 million people thought that he was qualified to be President. The one person who picked her is having second thoughts about her being VP. This shows that McCain has horrible judgement! Please don't vote for this dude.

Obama: Children are off limits

J Gordon, Princeton, NJ — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:24:51 GMT

Yes, Obama is right; the children of those politicans running should be off limits.

BUT the candidates are certainly not off limits. McCain's choice of Palin was reckless, impulsive, and petulant (he couldn't get his choice of Lieberman!).

In a single day there is all this new information about Palin (flip-flop on Bridge to Nowhere; unmarried daughter's pregnancy; husband's past DUI; using Governor's office to get employee fired; Alaska gas-pipe contract questions; total lack of foreign policy experience, unqualified to take over the Presidency of the United States of America if need be!).

It IS McCain's leadership and his judgment that are the point of all this Palin news!

How can McCain's campaign say, "Country First" when he himself is demonstrating that what matters most to him is, "Winning First"!

PLEASE POST! Thank you.

Obama: Children are off limits

AnAMERICAN IN LONDON UK — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:24:54 GMT

SO, IS NOW OBAMA'S FAULT! ARE THOSE IDOITS THAT RUN MAcCAIN'S CAMPAIGN GOT NO SHAME?

Obama: Children are off limits

Martin sibs, AL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:25:17 GMT

Our prayers are with the Palin family and every family making tough and personal decisions today.

What ever happened to the money Congress sent to Alaska for their bridge to nowhere? It is Gov. Sarah Palin’s professional record of reforming her hometown and a corrupt state government smaller than that of the city of Chicago (population 2,833,321; AK 683,478) that would make her unqualified to serve as VP or President of the United States of America. Sen. Biden and Sen. McCain both have had the experience of working for needed reform of Washington D.C.

Sen. Obama has the experience of working for reform at the local, state and national levels with large diverse groups that held competing interests at each level. As opposed to a political career spent inside the beltway. Among the four, this alone makes Sen. Obama uniquely qualified to serve as President of the United States of America and lead us into the 21st Century.

God Bless America!!

Obama: Children are off limits

ann morgan,Jamestown, nc — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:25:26 GMT

I can't stop thinking about the picture i saw when Sarah Palin was introduced to the public as MCCain VP. I noticed the 17 year old daughter was holding and caressing the child like a mother would do. I can't understand that if this is a special needs child, why in the devil wasn't the Todd Palin the father holding the child. It just looked odd to me. Sarah Palin was speaking and Todd Palin was sitting there not even near the baby. But the teenager was responding to the baby as if it was hers. I keep going back to that seen, looking at the family and not at Sarah Palin. Notice the entire family expression. It was not one of joy, but of one as, what has she gotten us into now. Even her mother-in-law couldn't come up with a strong support message regarding her experience. I pray that anything hidden will be uncovered. We need truth to prevail in our country. MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA

Obama: Children are off limits

Steve in Las Vegas — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:25:42 GMT

Do we really know that this fifth child has Downs Syndrome? Or do we know it only because Gov. Palin told us so? Someone should dig up the doctors -- then we'll find out once and for all who the mother is, too.

Obama: Children are off limits

Tom from Virginia — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:25:51 GMT

Unbelievable. I am truely sorry for Bristol. Private matters should be private until lie abut them and your Mother runs for elected office and uses the story as a prop.

If Trig is the Governor's child, then how can she explain why she flew 9 hours from Texas through Seatle to Alaska and then drove to the hospital in her town and not the hospital closest to the airport after her water broke. Nobody on the plane noticed her discomfort. Come on.

Is this Bristol's second child? She looked pregnant in pictures from earlier this year while the Governor showed no sign of being 6 months pregnant. Explain why Bristol missed 5 months of school becasue she was "sick".

Just do not lie.

If this was only a story about a teen pregnancy, I would agree that it should be off limits. But it is a lie.

The mainstream media (including MSNBC) has an obligation to determine if this is a lie or not. If it is not a lie, set the record straight quickly.

Obama: Children are off limits

Knine — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:25:53 GMT

5 Children
1 with special needs
1 Pregnant
When the hell is she going to find time to help run this country?

At least tell me she stayed at a holiday Inn Express last night.

Obama: Children are off limits

Carmelo, Shrewsbury, NJ — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:25:56 GMT

I'm in total agreement with Obama- he has shown that is above the political fray the least I could say about McCain. McCain choice of picking Palin for VP shows lack of judgement.

Obama: Children are off limits

Haasn, Torrance — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:26:14 GMT

Can someone clear this up for me? I read that one of Palin's children is actually her daughter's first child and that Palin is trying to cover it up. She was just picked VP last Friday and there's already all this controversy surrounding her. I'm sure there's more that's bound to come out. Perhaps and affair her husband had and maybe even a lovechild. Who wants all that in the White House when our economy is crumbling? This just shows McCain's lack of judgment and the Reps desperation.

Obama: Children are off limits

johnnyrogers — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:26:27 GMT

Bristol Palin is not the type of role model American girls need. Apparently, Sarah Perlin can't do it all; Run a state and run her family at the same time. Now she want's to elevate her job responsibilities at the same time she's just given birth to a baby with Down sydrome. A good mother would have said, "thanks but no thanks," and tended to all her family members who need her influence.

Obama: Children are off limits

Al, North Carolina — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:27:17 GMT

Women of America, allow McCain's pick of Gov. Palin to display as a mochery of your beliefs and struggles; not support of your rights, ability and validity to acquire any position at any level. As a man, I find it insulting to the hard working women in my life.

Obama: Children are off limits

deb — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:27:24 GMT

Obama is a solid candidate and he has proven himself. McCain is still trying to trash Obama for no reason. McCain is undeniably deceitful and ruthless. It's time McCain take responsibility for his own failures.
Grow up McCain!

Obama: Children are off limits

California Jayne — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:28:05 GMT

There is a huge difference between Biden and Palin. When Joe Biden's wife and son were killed in a car accident and his other 2 sons were injured, he told the Senate he could not serve, that his state could find another Senator, but his children could not find another father. Several influential senators flew to his side and convinced him to serve so he took the train home each night to be with his children who recovered. Palin's special needs child will ALWAYS have special needs and her pregnant daughter will need her support. One of Bristol's parents needs to make more time for her or at least teach her about birth control.

Obama: Children are off limits

Cindy Kansas City — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:28:25 GMT

Conservative (I can't believe I'm agreeing with someone with that title) nailed it. To hurl a 17 year old girl facing this type of challenge into the middle of what will become, right or wrong, a national debate is not terrific judgement. She must be thinking "Gee. Thanks, Mom".

Obama: Children are off limits

Lisa R., Fort Lauderdale, FL — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:28:38 GMT

I can only imagine how horrible it is to be 17 years old, pregnant, and being called a “harlot” or “a sinner that Christ forgives.” I respect the choices that Bristol and the Palin family are making regarding the baby; however, I question the judgment of someone who would choose to put their 17 year child under such public scrutiny and criticism (justified or not)in order to advance themselves politically and to follow some idealistic concept of the “greater good.” I have 5 kids, too — all daughters — and never, ever would I purposely subject them to what Bristol now has to undergo. Just makes me wonder about Sarah Palin’s judgement….but I agree 100% that Bristol should not be the one under scrutiny and attack.

Obama: Children are off limits

Ike, Los angeles,Ca — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:28:53 GMT

Palin puts the crown of morality on her head and leads by example. Bravo McCain for your judgement and throwing the GOP chances into the gutter.

I am a male, about Palin's age, and have sacrificed so much of my career and family income to raise my kids. Don't need some bimbo to lecture me about morality and family values. McCain you lost me once and for all.

Obama: Children are off limits

Ashley, UT — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:29:29 GMT

Children are off limits? Then why did Obama parade his kids all over Access Hollywood and make them talk to the reporters?

Obama: Children are off limits

Independent, PA — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:30:28 GMT

The comment has been brought up as to why Obama is not running around a hurricane zone. he is choosing to stay out of the way of the officials who have there hands full with enough problems right know.

Mccain was "invited" by a Rep gov to visit.
Does he have any official function to perform why he is there or is this just political grandstanding?

I will respectfully let the community make their own decisions on this one.